Farmington police face abuse lawsuit

FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) - Two American Indian families have filed a lawsuit against the San Juan County Sheriff's Office and the Farmington Police Department over alleged abuse of power.

The Farmington Daily Times reports that the suit in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque says authorities in March pulled over an elderly couple and their grandchildren while authorities searched for a car thief.

According to the suit, offices performed a felony stop with deputies and Farmington police officers had guns drawn.

Authorities were searching for a suspect wanted for breaking into a school building and stealing a brown Chevrolet Impala with government plates and several laptops.

But a lawyer for the family says it was obvious that the family had nothing to do with the crime. Both departments said they found no wrong doing.

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